Messages

1156

EOS Bodies / All the people saying the Cinema DSLR will be crazy expensive, check this out..

« on: January 16, 2012, 03:58:58 PM »

http://www.eoshd.com/content/6817/samsung-in-cmos-break-through-pulls-4k-video-off-sensor-in-400-compact-camera

I've had a few people on the forum suggest that the CDSLR will cost MORE than the C300 simply because it's 4k.  I wondered what they could possibly add to a standard DSLR body that would justify it costing $14,000 more than Canon's top of the line camera (1DX). 

This article is somewhat reassuring.... if they can get that out of a $400 camera, I'm sure that they can make the Cinema DSLR a relatively reasonable price. 

1157

Lenses / Re: Fair price for 85mm F1.2 Mark I

« on: January 16, 2012, 03:53:17 PM »

I think that's a fair price...I hunted for the 85L II for months and they kept slipping through my fingers, I think I ended up paying $1800 for it (but in outstanding condition with box and everything).  All of the ones I found were $1800-$1900, and the cheapest I've seen one was $1600 (after I had found one of course).  But $1500 is definitely a great deal and you probably won't find one that cheap very often. 

I would say $1350 for the 85L I is a pretty fair deal, I don't know if I'd call it "great," but definitely not bad.  I'm sure he'll take $1300 if it's listed for $1350, but if you could talk him down more, even better. 

I think I've read some reviews that suggested the IQ was better on the V1, they are definitely similar and both beautiful.  The 85L II is the sharpest lens I own, even more sharp than the 135L.

1158

Lenses / Re: Do you go through stages of loving primes or zooms?

« on: January 16, 2012, 10:50:20 AM »

I bought my 5D Mark II in Nov 2011, and the madness began:
(in order)
50mm f/1.4 (first one I grabbed)
35L & 50L - paid $2400 for the pair from a wedding photographer that had switched to Nikon
85mm f/1.8
16-35mm f/2.8L II
24-70mm f/2.8L
70-200 f/2.8L IS - Traded the 35L and 85 1.8 for this one for some reason
100L
135L
35L (2nd copy)
14L II

I sold all the zooms except the 16-35 (which I'm about to sell), but I'm not gonna lie there are times I really wish I had a 24-70 to walk around with, switching lenses can be a bitch.

1159

United Kingdom & Ireland / Re: Best place to buy photographic equipment in the uk?

« on: January 14, 2012, 12:40:04 PM »

DO NOT USE SIMPLY ELECTRONICS

Best place for price in the UK that I know is www.procamerashop.co.uk
Then it's HDEW cameras.

For anything other than cameras and lenses then Dale Photographic or Warehouse Express.

Has anyone else used procamerashop? Their prices look a little on the cheap side across the board, which always sets off alarm bells for me.  I don't mean to slander them if they are genuine, but £899 for a 7D body? Most places sell them second hand for more than that!

Edit: I've looked at hdew cameras as well and they seem to be the same prices.  Neither of these sites appear on Camera Price Buster; I don't know if this comparison site takes commission (which might explain this), but it seems a bit strange...

It's $1375 US from B&H Photo Video, which is about the same as 899gbp, so I don't think it sounds too unrealistic.  I was actually talking with a guy from England yesterday at a local shop and he was like a kid in a candy store about the prices.  I see 7D's used (but like new condition) for $1000-$1200 all the time here. 

1160

Lenses / Re: I've got a feeling: EF 24/2.8, 28/2.8, 28/1.8, 35/2, 50/1.4, 50/1.8, 85/1.8...

« on: January 13, 2012, 08:52:50 PM »

From the various rumors we've been hearing over the last few months, I'm getting the feeling that Canon is about to revamp their entire line of EF primes.

Possibly all at once, even.

I just wonder if they'll turn them all into EF-S lenses, and keep EF mainly for L and specialty lenses from here on out?

I agree to an extent, but not necessarily ALL of those..  The 50mm f/1.4 is a 20+ year old design and so is the 50mm f/1.8, and its such a standard FL I'd be very surprised if we didn't see a Mark II soon.  I don't think they'll update all of the 20mm range lenses you mentioned, but I think the rest are somewhat possible. 

People seem to be buying primes more and more, and these lenses L-counterparts are much more expensive, not updating them for the new breed of DSLR shooters would be foolish.

1161

Lenses / Re: I've got a feeling: EF 24/2.8, 28/2.8, 28/1.8, 35/2, 50/1.4, 50/1.8, 85/1.8...

« on: January 13, 2012, 08:48:13 PM »

IMO, the most useful lens missing from everyone's line up is an EF-S 18mm f/1.8 lens.

The wider the lens the tougher it is to give it a large aperture.....Take the Zeiss 18mm f/3.5, It's one of the few lenses they make that's slower than f/2.8.

So while an 18mm f/1.8 may be possible, it would be very expensive and definitely not an EF-S lens.  Closest thing I've seen was the Sigma 20mm f/1.8 and it sucked.

1162

EOS Bodies / Re: Still on the fence but the reason for me to buy a 5DII now rather than waiting.

« on: January 12, 2012, 02:39:15 PM »

I would go ahead and get the 5DII as well, I honestly think the 5DIII is going to be a more stills oriented camera.  I'm not saying the video won't have improvements, but it will remain a still camera at its core.  Canon has said countless times that they never anticipated DSLRs taking off in the video world the way they did.  I'm sure the Cinema DSLR will be better suited for your needs than a 5DIII, but I have a feeling it won't be out until much later in 2012 and who knows how much it will be.  Some have suggested it will be more than the C300, but I seriously doubt that. 

And don't worry about getting stuck with the 5DII, it's an awesome camera and there will be thousands of T2i/60D users clamoring to get a full frame body, so I doubt you'll have any trouble selling it even after the new ones come out. 

Just remember people are still using the original 5D, and the 5DII will continue to be a good camera for years to come.  Go ahead and get it now, the longer you wait the less experience you'll have. 

1163

Lenses / Re: 135L or 100L macro?

« on: January 11, 2012, 08:39:17 PM »

Good point about the IS that I totally forgot in my assessment above. I personally count IS as a negative in any lens. I find its usefulness overrated and see it as another lose part that will shorten the lifespan of the lens. IS -and frankly the AF - will potentially be two of the reasons for me to look elsewhere for a macro lens (and wide angle prime).

Not a very popular view, I know, but one I'm willing to reasonably defend. And just a different perspective. Not trying to convince anyone one way or another.

I agree with you about not necessarily needing AF with a macro lens, but the 100L is pretty useful outside of Macro Photography.  I used mine for portraits a good bit when I had it, and got some really fine detail shooting video with it. 

I see where you're coming from about IS being a negative, but in the 100's defense it is one of the few Canon lenses with Hybrid IS (part optical and part electronic) and it works incredibly well. 

Honestly if OP could live without AF and IS, the Zeiss 100mm f/2 is an incredible lens.  Granted it's the same price as a 135L and 100L combined.  I sold my 100L last summer and still regret it, I'd still like to get another copy, but wouldn't get rid of my 135 for it.  So I guess they are equal to me in terms of usefulness and performance, so I suppose it comes down to personal preference and how useful it is for you.

1164

Lenses / Re: A new SIGMA macro lens announced

« on: January 11, 2012, 10:13:47 AM »

I can see Canon responding with an EF 180mm f/2.8 L HIS USM.

NOT.

Canon is so busy with cinema lenses, it can't make the super telephotos on schedule, bring out new TS-E 45mm & 90mm, etc.

How do you know this is the case?

Know what is the case ? That the super telephotos aren't in the shops on schedule ? That Canon started making new cinema lenses ?

No, how do you know that Canon "working on the cinema lenses" is slowing down production of everything else?  It just seems like with all the natural disasters they have had on that side of the globe that naturally some things would be delayed.  But I don't think any one product could be slowing down the release of another, you act as if Canon is only a handful of people working on stuff....

And why would they be in a huge rush to release their new telephotos?  They hardly sell any compared to their shorter lenses, and it's not like they are releasing a focal length that isn't already available.  Yeah, it's crummy that they are taking so long, but I don't think the production of the cinema lenses is SOLELY to blame.

1165

Lenses / Re: 24mm 1.4L ii vs 35mm 1.4L vs 50mm 1.2L

« on: January 10, 2012, 01:11:56 PM »

My weekend with the 50L has been very interesting.  I've shot many different scenarios both indoors and outside and at many different apertures.  The lens has been paired with my 7d which is my main camera body.  BTW, I'm very familiar with my 7d and it's AF system.  I don't get OOF shots unless I've had a brain fart.  Just this afternoon, I was taking a few shots of one of our cats with fill flash at f/1.2 and f/1.8.  When I was comparing the two shots in LR, I was surprised that the f/1.2 was sharper.  I understand that the 50L can be softer at f/1.2, but based on my testing, technique may have something to do with it.

I must confess that the images of this lens are very different than the other L primes I use.  It's hard to describe, but the images seem "dreamier" and not as much edge blur as the 85L II.  I use my lenses as tools to achieve a "look" in the images I photograph and the 50L has a very unique look about it unlike my other primes.  I've decided to buy the lens and I anticipate that it will find itself attached to my 7d a lot.

Congratulations!  Glad you're enjoying it.  And yes, it does very well on an APS-C sensor, it's like having an 80mm 1.2 with the minimum focusing distance of a 50L

1166

Lenses / Re: A new SIGMA macro lens announced

« on: January 10, 2012, 01:05:31 PM »

I can see Canon responding with an EF 180mm f/2.8 L HIS USM.

NOT.

Canon is so busy with cinema lenses, it can't make the super telephotos on schedule, bring out new TS-E 45mm & 90mm, etc.

How do you know this is the case? 

1167

EOS Bodies / Re: Nikon D4 gets it right on movie mode!.....will Canon strike back?

« on: January 10, 2012, 01:04:26 PM »

As for the OP's original point, I think Canon will have to reassess the clean HDMI output-- but if they weren't convinced the C300 required it, I'm skeptical that this move by Nikon will force Canon's hand. That said, the fact that the EOS division has to negotiate a bit with Canon's broadcast division seems to give Nikon some relative flexibility, at least for the present. That latitude could allow Nikon to aggressively pursue some things that Canon has been sheepish about. I'm still uncertain about Canon's likely response, though. In certain ways, the C300 is less impressive on paper (at least for the price) than the FS100, let alone the F3 or Scarlet. The reviews, however, have suggested that Cinema EOS is a pretty impressive new system, it's lowly 8-bit codec notwithstanding. If Canon is similarly confident that 1DX vs. D4 tests will bear out the merits of their product, then I doubt they'll change anything for now. The photographers at whom these cameras are targeted won't buy cameras based on specs alone, since virtually all of them will have glass investments to consider and enough experience to know that press releases don't translate into the best product.

I agree with everything you're saying, but I'm wondering about the whole clean HDMI output and if HD-SDI makes it pointless......

1168

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D2 video shooting question

« on: January 09, 2012, 05:40:01 PM »

Hi all,

I recently just got a 5D2 and loved it, upgraded from 50D. I was playing around with video mode and have a question.  When shooting video, does the focusing square or rectangle show up on LCD screen during live view??? Mine doesn't show but I've seen some people on YouTube that has the square or rectangle on LCD when shooting video... Is there an option to turn it on or off??? Or is it something that was removed during the firmware update?? Thanks for the help and loved this site.

Actually I'm looking at mine right now, and the AF points will disappear when you scroll through the info button.  I switched the autofocus modes, switched back and forth between manual and autofocus, and I can't seem to get the square to go away, so maybe it is something in the firmware update...

1169

Lenses / Re: 24mm 1.4L ii vs 35mm 1.4L vs 50mm 1.2L

« on: January 08, 2012, 08:23:20 PM »

The topic of this thread is timely for me.  I rented the 50L this weekend and have taken a few intial shots.  BTW, I own the 35L and the 135L which are great and sharp lenses.  I've also rented the 24L II and was very impressed with the IQ and will get this lens in the spring.

Back to the 50L.  It's rather soft at 1.2.  From f2.0 on, the lens is sharper and the colors are very nice along with the contrast.  I have yet to shoot outdoors.  My intial reaction is not positive and hopefully, my mind will change.  When I evaluated the 85L II, I was blown away.  I'm not getting the same reaction with the 50L.  Any tips, tricks regarding this lens would be appreciated from owners of this lens.

I would have to say that the 135L is the sharpest with the 35L second and the 24L II third.  The 85L II and hopefully, the 50L are in a different category.

My 85L II is super sharp, but my 50mm is no slouch either.  I use the 50mm a lot more, the minimum focusing distance on the 85mm can be somewhat limiting in certain situations.  The 50L is definitely a little more versatile, I usually use the 85 for portrait stuff.

 I would go shoot some outside with the 50L and play with it some more, and maybe try another copy if something looks way off.  I know I've prematurely judged lenses before when I would just pop them on in the office to take some "test shots."  But none of the test shots ever end up being something I would have photographed normally, so I think its better to get out there and try to shoot something "unrehearsed" and see how you like it after that. 

And f/2 is definitely the sweet spot, and be mindful of short hyperfocal distance when shooting at f/1.2. 

1170

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D2 video shooting question

« on: January 08, 2012, 08:15:51 PM »

Hi all,

I recently just got a 5D2 and loved it, upgraded from 50D. I was playing around with video mode and have a question.  When shooting video, does the focusing square or rectangle show up on LCD screen during live view??? Mine doesn't show but I've seen some people on YouTube that has the square or rectangle on LCD when shooting video... Is there an option to turn it on or off??? Or is it something that was removed during the firmware update?? Thanks for the help and loved this site.

Usually hitting the info button to the left of the screen scrolls through different viewing options, should show up after a few presses.  Then use the little star button to zoom in to focus, but be aware you can't do this while the camera is recording.

I would definitely update the firmware asap, it gives you different frame rates and manual controls during video shooting.